Fastener for securing a window track to a windowsill



3,526,996 FASTENER FOR SECURING A WINDOW TRACK TO A WINDOWSILL William P. Fraleigh, Hamilton, Ontario, Alcide Melanson, Quebec, Quebec, and Lorne H. Arthur, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, assignors to H & A Supply Company Limited, Burlington, Ontario, Canada Filed Feb. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 706,551 Int. Cl. E06b 1/18 US. Cl. 49-504 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A novel sill construction is provided including interconnected outer sill frame members and inner sill frame members, usually formed of an extruded metal, e.g. aluminum or steel. A track, formed of a heat insulating material, for example, a vinyl plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, is disposed in spaced apart superposed relationship to the interconnected sill frame members. A common thermal barrier connector, formed of heat insulating material, for example, a vinyl plastic such as polyvinyl chloride is provided with keys cooperating with keyways on the inner and outer sill frame members to hold the sill members together. An upstanding portion of the connector is provided with a key cooperating with a keyway on the track to hold the track to the connected sill frame.

The invention also provides a novel window frame construction including such sill, and the connector used to assemble the sill.

This invention relates to window construction and more particularly to a sill construction including an inner and outer sill member and a track secured thereto in superposed relationship. It also relates to the fastener for securing the sill components and the track in interrelated relationship.

Metal window frames, and in particular aluminum frames, are desirable due to low maintenance requirements. It is now known that the problem of condensation and thermal conductivity resulting in frost forming on the inside of the frame may be largely eliminated by forming the frame of inner and outer members and by then providing a thermal barrier between the inner and outer members. It has been found necessary, however, to provide adequate drainage so that water and ice do not collect in the track which receives the window. This drainage problem has also been overcome in the past by providing a sloping sill under the window track so that water runs through holes formed in the track and is directed downwardly and outwardly by the sloping sill. However, no provision has been made for a thermal barrier in the sloping sill. Furthermore, such a track requires a further metal member which increases its cost and is usually fastened to the sill by screws.

An object of one aspect of this invention is to provide a novel sill construction formed of an outer sill member and an inner sill member with a thermal barrier therebetween and on which a track is secured thereto in spaced apart superposed relationship.

An object of another aspect of this invention is the provision of a novel fastening member for intersecuring the inner and outer sill members and the track in the above-noted relationship.

An object of yet another aspect of this invention is the provision of a novel window construction embodying such novel sill construction.

By one broad aspect of this invention, a novel sill construction is provided comprising: (a) an outer sill frame member; (b) an inner sill frame member; a track "United States Patent 0 ice member of substantially non-heat conductive material superimposed in spaced apart relationship over substantial portions of both said outer frame member and said inner frame member; and (d) a connector formed of relatively rigid, substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer frame members and securing said track member in superposed spaced apart relationship to said interconnected frame members.

By another aspect of this invention, a window frame construction is provided comprising: (A) a sill construction comprising: (a) an outer sill frame member, (-b) an inner sill frame member, (c) a track member of substantially non-heat conductive material superposed in spaced apart relationship over substantial portions of both said outer frame member and said inner frame member, and (d) a connector formed of relatively rigid, substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer frame members and securing said track member in superposed spaced apart relationship to said interconnected frame members: (B) a head construction comprising: (e) an outer head frame member, (f) an inner head frame member, and (g) a connector formed of relatively rigid, substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer head frame members, and (C) a pair of jambs secured at their ends to each of said sill and said head, each of said jambs comprising: (h) an inner jamb frame member, (i) an outer jamb frame member, and (j) a connector formed of relatively rigid, substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer jamb frame members.

By yet another aspect of this invention, a thermal barrier connector is provided comprising: (a) a longitudinally extending body portion; (b) a pair of lateral, longitudinally extending keys provided one on each side face of said body portion adjacent the one edge thereof for engagement with complementary keyways on two facing sill components; and (c) a longitudinally extending key provided at the other edge thereof for engagement with a complementary keyway on the third sill component.

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double glazed window construction according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a corner portion of the window construction of FIG. 1 showing the sill construction of another aspect of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the length of the track fastener and thermal barrier of yet another embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the length of fastener and thermal barrier employed in the head and in the jambs of the Window of FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illnstrates a sashless window construction in accordance with one embodiment of this invention. The window construction is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1 and includes a sill assembly 12, a pair of vertical jamb assemblies 14 and 15 and a head assembly 17. An inner set of panes of glass 19 and 20 are disposed in overlapping face-toface engaging relationship and are adapted to slide in an inner channel of the sill assembly 12. Similarly, an outer set of panes of glass 19' and 20' are disposed in overlapping face-to-face engaging relationship and are adapted to slide in an outer channel of the sill assembly 12. Conventional associated hardware, such as the window lock 22 and pressure applying means 23 are provided on the frame 10.

The sill assembly 12 includes an outer sill frame member 25, which generally is formed of metal, e.g. aluminum, of inverted U-shaped channel cross-section having an outwardly sloping longitudinally extending connecting web 26, an outwardly facing, longitudinally extending depending leg 28, and an inwardly facing, longitudinally extending depending leg 29. Leg portion 29 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending keyway recesses 32 and 33, the recesses being T-shaped in cross section and separated by a median, longitudinally extending flange 34. The keyway recesses 32 and 33 each have a restricted, longitudinally extending throat leading thereto at the exterior face of the leg 29. The sill assembly 12 further includes an inner sill frame member 36, which generally is formed of metal, i.e. aluminum, of inverted U-shaped channel cross section, having an outwardly sloping longitudinally extending connecting web portion 42, an outwardly facing, longitudinally extending, depending leg and an inwardly facing, longitudinally extending, depending leg 41. Leg 40, the shorter of the two legs, is provided with longitudinally extending keyway recesses 43 and 44, the recesses being T-shaped in cross section and being separated by a median, longitudinally extending flange 44'.

Each of the keyway recesses 43 and 44 has a restricted, longitudinally extending throat leading thereto at the exterior face of the leg 40. In its preferred form, as shown in the drawings, keyway recesses 43 and 44 are mirror images of keyway recesses 32 and 33. Leg 41 is provided with an upstanding extension 41', extending above the connecting web 42. Extension 41' is provided with an integral flange 45 disposed at right angles thereto.

The outer sill frame member 25 and the inner sill frame member 36 are interconnected by a longitudinally extending fastener 46 which is formed of a suitable material, for example, rigid vinyl plastic, to provide both structural rigidity and a thermal barrier. The fastener 46 in its preferred form as shown more clearly in FIG. 5 is hollow and is of substantially rectangular cross section provided by a longitudinally extending roof 51, a longitudinally extending floor 52, and a pair of generally parallel, spaced apart, longitudinally extending side walls 49 and 50. A downwardly sloping, longitudinally extending partition 53 is provided intermediate the roof 51 and the floor 52 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Each side wall 49 and is provided, at the bottom thereof with an integral extension 58 of the floor 52, the extension being of generally L-shaped cross-section, and at the top thereof with an integral flange 61 extending from the roof 51. Each 5 wall 49 and 50 is also provided, at a location adjacent to extension 58 but below the level of partition 53, with a longitudinally extending key of generally T-shaped crosssection. There is thus provided on each side wall between the extension 58 and the key 56 a longitudinally extending keyway recess of generally T-shaped cross-section, with a narrow longitudinally extending throat leading thereto.

The track 65 includes an elevated, longitudinally extending central web 100, an interior longitudinally extending depressed channel 68 (to receive window panes 19 and 20), an exterior longitudinally extending depressed channel 69 (to receive window panes 19' and 20'), and an outer cantilevered longitudinally extending channel 70 (to receive a screen, not shown). The floor of each of channels 68 and 69 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 101, for the purpose of minimizing frictional contact between the channel and the pane of glass slidable therealong. In addition, longitudinally extending keyway recesses 72 and 73 (each of inverted T-shaped cross-section) within the channels 68 and 69 receive separator strips 75 and 76 respectively, by cooperation be tween keyway recesses 72 and 73 and inverted T-shaped key provided as the base of strips 75 and 76. Strip 75 separates the panes 19 and 20 when the pane 20 is moved to the open position, and similarly, strip 76 separates panes 19 and 20' when pane 20 is moved to the open position.

The track 65 is provided on its underside with longitudinally extending, downwardly depending legs 78, 79, 80 and 81 which vary in length to conform with the sloped profile of the upper surfaces of the inner and outer sill frame members 36 and 25. In addition, the underside of the elevated web is provided with a median longitudinally extending depending keyway bounded by spaced apart, longitudinally extending depending projections 66 and 66', each of generally L-shaped cross-section.

The novel sill structure of one embodiment of this invention may be assembled in the following manner. The outer sill frame member 25 is secured to the inner sill frame 36 by interengagement of key 56 in keyway 32, median flange 34 in keyway 60, extension 58 in keyway 33, key 56 in keyway 43, median flange 44' in keyway 60 and extension 58 in keyway 44. Track 65 is then secured to the sill structure in superposed relationship to interconnected sill frame members 25 and 36 by interengagement of flanges 61 and the keyway bounded by depending flanges 66 and 66'. In this manner, sill frame members 36 and 25 are secured together through the use of the thermal barrier and fastener 46 to provide a strong interconnection as well as a strong vertically extending support and a simple means for interconnecting the track 65 to the sill frame members 36 and 25. When the sill is assembled, a downwardly sloping roof is provided to direct water downwardly along web 42, through transverse drainage hole 54 in fastener 46, along partition 53, out through other drainage hole 54 and down web 26 to the outside.

FIG. 3 also shows the cross-sectional profile of the head 17 which may suitable be formed of extruded metal, e.g. aluminum. As shown, the top rail includes an outer frame member 90 and an inner frame member 89, interconnected by a thermal barrier connector 85. The outer rail member includes a central flat longitudinally extending web (to which a pressure snubber device 23 may be secured), a generally inverted U-shaped upstanding channel 111 (Within which panes of glass 19 and 20' are slidably disposed), and a cantilevered generally inverted L-shaped channel 112 (within which a screen member, not shown, may be disposed). The marginal side porition of Web 110 is provided with a longitudinally extending generally T- shaped keyway channel 113, having a narrow throat opening facing the interior of the outer frame member 90.

The inner frame member 89 includes a central, flat, longitudinally extending web 115, a generally inverted U-shaped upstanding channel 116 (within which panes of glass 19 and 20 are slidably disposed) and an inwardly directed flange 117 (to which a pressure snubber device 23 may be secured). The marginal side portion of web is provided with a longitudinally extending, generally T-shaped keyway channel 118 having a narrow throat opening facing the exterior of the outer frame member 89.

Assembly of the head 117 is achieved by cooperative interaction between generally T-shaped key 86 of connector 85 and keyway channel 113 of outer frame member 90, and between generally T shaped key 87 of connector 85 and keychannel 118 of inner frame member 89.

FIG. 4 shows the cross-sectional profile of the side jambs 14, 15, which may suitably be formed of extruded metal, e.g. aluminum. Each side jamb 14, 15 is assembled from an outer jamb member 120, an inner jamb member 140 and a thermal barrier connector 85. Outer jamb member 120 includes a flat, longitudinally extending web 121, and a generally U-shaped, laterally directed, exterior facing, channel 122. The base of the channel 122 is provided with a narrow throated keyway channel 123, in which a complementary shaped key of a generally U-shaped sealing channel 124 is secured in channel 122. Sealing channel 124 includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending facing webs 126, and a window pane engaging resilient sealing strip 127, integral with the channel 124. Channel 124 is suitably formed of a synthetic plastic material, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The marginal side portion of web 121 is provided with a generally T-shaped keyway channel 128, having a narrow throated opening facing the interior of outer jamb member 120. The interior facing wall of channel 122 includes an inwardly directed longitudinally extending securement flange 129. The hidden face of the web portion 121 is provided with a longitudinally extending, substantially cylindrical recess 95.

Inner jamb member 140 includes a flat, longitudinally extending web 141, and a generally U-shaped, laterally directed, interior facing channel 142 the base of channel 122 is provided with a narrow throated keyway channel 143, in which a complementary shaped key 145 of a generally U-shaped sealing channel 144 is secured in channel 142. Sealing channel 144 includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending facing webs 146, and a window pane engaging resilient strip 147, integral with the channel 144. Channel 144 is suitably formed of a synthetic plastic material, for example, polyvinyl chloride. The marginal side portion of web 141 is provided with a generally T-shaped keyway channel 148, having a narrow throated opening facing the exterior of inner jamb member 140. The hidden face of web 141 is provided with a longitudinally extending, substantially cylindrical recess 96.

The jambs 14, 15 are each assembled by cooperative interaction between generally T-shaped key 86 of connector 85 and keyway channel 128 of outer jamb member 120, and between generally T-shaped key 87 of connector 85 and keyway channel 148 of inner jamb member 140.

After assembly of the sill 12, head 17 and jambs 14, 15 as previously described, the window is assembled by placement of suitable securing means, for example, sheet metal screws (not shown) through the sill 12 and through the head 17 into recesses 95 and 96. The lower pressure member 23 is secured to the track 65 of sill 17 by screws 98 and 99 which pass through the track 65 and preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, through top wall 51 of the fastener 46 into the hollow space between the walls 49 and 50. Upper pressure snubber devices 23 are secured, in like manner, to web 110 and to flange 117. Lock 22 is secured, in like manner, to flange 45.

The completed window structure is one in which the inner frame members are connected to, but separated from, the outer frame members by rigid, thermal barriers. The entire construction thus provides a novel, substantially draft-free, sliding sashless window structure.

We claim:

1. A sill construction comprising:

(a) an outer sill frame member;

(b) an inner sill frame member;

(c) a track member of substantially non-heat conductive material superposed in spaced-apart relationship over substantial portions of both said outer frame member and said inner frame member, said track being provided with a depending median longitudinally extending keyway, and

(d) a connector formed of relatively rigid, substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer frame members and securing said track member in superposed spaced apart relationship to said interconnected frame members, said connector including a longitudinally extending, upper, complementary key for interengagement with said depending keyway, thereby to interconnect said track and said connector.

2. The sill construction of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said interconnected inner and outer frame members is downwardly sloped, in the direction of the outer frame member.

3. The sill construction of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer frame members are formed of metal.

4. The sill construction of claim 3 wherein said inner and outer frame members are formed of aluminum, and said connector is formed of vinyl plastic.

5. The sill construction of claim 4 wherein said connector includes an intermediate longitudinally extending rib, the upper surface of which follows an imaginary continuation of the downwardly sloping upper surface of the inner and outer frame members, and wherein said connector is also provided with a plurality of liquid flow channels laterally therethrough.

6. The sill construction of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer frame members include longitudinally extending, laterally facing keyways, and wherein said connector includes complementary longitudinally extending keys for interengagement wtih said lateral keyways, thereby to interconnect said inner and outer frame members.

7. A window frame construction comprising:

(A) a sill construction comprising:

(a) an outer sill frame member;

(b) an inner sill frame member;

(c) a track member of substantially non-heat conductive material superposed in spaced-apart relationship over substantial portions of both said outer frame member and said inner frame member, said track being provided with a depending median longitudinally extending first keyway; and

(d) a first connector formed of relatively rigid,

substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer frame members and provided with a first key cooperating with said first keyway to secure said track member in superposed spaced-apart relationship to said interconnected frame members;

(B) a head construction comprising:

(e) an outer head frame member having a second i y y;

(f) an inner head frame member having a third keyway; and

(g) a second connector formed of relatively rigid,

substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer head frame members, said second connector including longitudinally extending, complementary keys for in- I terengagement with said first and second keyways; and

(C) a pair of jambs secured at their ends to each of said sill and said head, each of said jambs comprismg:

(h) an inner jamb frame member having a fourth keyway;

(i) an outer jamb frame member having a fifth keyway; and

(j) a third connector formed of relatively rigid,

substantially non-heat conductive material interconnecting said inner and outer jamb frame members, said third connector including longitudinally extending, complementary keys for interengagement with said fourth and fifth keyways.

8. The window frame construction of claim 7 wherein means are provided secured to each of said inner and outer sill frame members and said inner and outer head frame members which cooperate with means on each end of each of said inner and outer jamb frame members to secure said jambs to said sill and to said head.

9. The window frame construction of claim 8 wherein screws are provided passing through each of said inner and outer sill frame members and through each of said inner and outer head frame members to engage recesses in each of said inner and outer jamb frame members, to secure said jambs to said sill and to said head.

10. The window frame construction of claim 7 wherein said track includes at least one longitudinally extending depressed channel for supporting panes of glass within said frame.

11. The window frame construction of claim 10 wherein two such depressed channels are provided.

12. The window frame construction of claim 11 Wherein the lower interior surface of said channels is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges, thereby to minimize frictional contact between said panes of glass and said track.

13. The window frame construction of claim 7 wherein each jamb is provided with at least one lateral channel, in which is disposed a sealing channel formed of substantially heat non-conductive material, and a longitudinally extending sealing strip integral with said sealing channel, whereby a lateral marginal edge of a pane of glass may be sealingly disposed in said channel.

14. The window frame construction of claim 13 including two such lateral channels.

15. A thermal barrier connector formed of substantially non-heat conductive material for a three component sill construction, said connector comprising:

(a) a longitudinally extending hollow body portion;

(b) a pair of lateral, longitudinally extending keys provided one on each side face of said body portion adjacent the one edge thereof for engagement with complementary keyways on two facing sill components;

(c) a longitudinally extending key provided at the other References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,055,468 9/1962 Horegs et al. 52-393 3,077,011 2/1963 Boucher 49-408 3,156,332 11/1964 Cameron 52-403 3,191,727 6/1965 Schmeltz ct al.

3,203,053 8/1965 Lane et al. 52-212 3,295,259 1/1967 Dallaire 49-413 KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

